Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ is clothing line often described as “painfully hip” and was founded by indie actress Tara Subkoff and conceptual genius Matthew Damhave. The line is named after a 15th century book by Thomas à Kempis with the same name. The concept behind the line was to restore and reconstruct vintage clothing into new avant garde pieces. Theirs was a subversive message that aimed to both earn them street cred as well as gain the same indie recognition Subkoff had garnered from her films.

From the get go Imitation of Christ has gone the extra mile to get people’s attention: The first IOC fashion show was staged in a New York City East Village funeral parlor. Subkoff has even participated in a gallery opening, producing a circus in which models hung from a trapeze.

Perhaps even more famous than the clothing itself is the clique of famous faces that work with and support the line. Chloë Sevigny was creative director and just recently Scarlet Johanson walked the Imitation of Christ runway decked out in Subkoff’s designs. Subkoff’s recent collaboration with shoe company Easy Spirit has all but launched her from indie obscurity to mainstream recognition. At least among fashion mavens.